Sarasota County OKs revised assisted living facility

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:06 p.m.

SARASOTA COUNTY - A 108-bed assisted living facility got the go-ahead from county commissioners on Tuesday after the developer agreed to changes neighbors said would make the project less intrusive.

The proposed Heritage Grove facility spurred outcry from neighbors of the nine-acre wooded lot where it is proposed to be built, at Honore Avenue and Proctor Road. They worried it would bring burdensome traffic, noise and light to their quiet neighborhood.

The developer, Genesis Planning and Development, had already agreed to keep some existing trees intact along the property line and build a buffer wall before the plan was sent back for more review by commissioners in September. Additional changes, like moving a vehicle entrance away from the neighborhood side of the lot and enlarging the landscaping buffer, pleased the neighbors.

“They have really bent over backwards to listen to our concerns,” neighbor Jack McGarry said of the developer. “I think we as a neighborhood got the best of what they brought to the table.”

About 30 neighbors in the Center Gate community went before the county commission in September to protest the plan, an unusually large showing of concern over a rezoning petition. Commissioners took note and told the developer to get more input.

After three more community meetings, other changes include limiting the hours trucks can come through the property to weekdays.

Commissioner Jon Thaxton, at his last board meeting as a commissioner, praised both sides for hearing each other out. Other commissioners echoed his comments.

“It just shows what can happen when people put their heads together and put themselves in another's shoes and be receptive to ideas and change,” Thaxton said.

<p><em>SARASOTA COUNTY</em> - A 108-bed assisted living facility got the go-ahead from county commissioners on Tuesday after the developer agreed to changes neighbors said would make the project less intrusive.</p><p>The proposed Heritage Grove facility spurred outcry from neighbors of the nine-acre wooded lot where it is proposed to be built, at Honore Avenue and Proctor Road. They worried it would bring burdensome traffic, noise and light to their quiet neighborhood.</p><p>The developer, Genesis Planning and Development, had already agreed to keep some existing trees intact along the property line and build a buffer wall before the plan was sent back for more review by commissioners in September. Additional changes, like moving a vehicle entrance away from the neighborhood side of the lot and enlarging the landscaping buffer, pleased the neighbors.</p><p>“They have really bent over backwards to listen to our concerns,” neighbor Jack McGarry said of the developer. “I think we as a neighborhood got the best of what they brought to the table.”</p><p>About 30 neighbors in the Center Gate community went before the county commission in September to protest the plan, an unusually large showing of concern over a rezoning petition. Commissioners took note and told the developer to get more input.</p><p>After three more community meetings, other changes include limiting the hours trucks can come through the property to weekdays.</p><p>Commissioner Jon Thaxton, at his last board meeting as a commissioner, praised both sides for hearing each other out. Other commissioners echoed his comments.</p><p>“It just shows what can happen when people put their heads together and put themselves in another's shoes and be receptive to ideas and change,” Thaxton said.</p>